If you’ve gotten used to wearing your dentures, you might be inclined to wear them more often than recommended. The short answer to “how long can I wear my dentures for each day?” is no longer than is instructed by your dentist. The long answer is that there are some compelling reasons for this. If you want to know all the juicy details, keep reading.
You’ll End Up Trapping Harmful Bacteria
After the adjustment process, your dentures fit to your gums pretty snugly. This helps them stay in place and is generally more comfortable for patients. However, harmful bacteria can slip underneath your prosthetic. It’s dark and moist down there close to your gums, and bacteria loves this!
If you don’t remove your dentures and clean the underside, these unwelcome guests will continue to grow and accumulate. Ultimately, you could develop gum disease, or an icky yeast infection known as denture stomatitis.
Your Breath Will Start to Smell
Trapped bacteria will turn your breath foul, and so will the food particles that can also get caught underneath your dentures. Think about: wearing your false teeth for 24 hours a day means your leftovers are just stuck there, rotting. That’s not a great recipe for aromatic perfume, and it will likely encourage more bacterial growth to boot.
You and Your Gums Need a Breather
Have you ever needed a cast for a broken arm or leg? Like your dentures, they’re rather tight and don’t give the skin underneath much room to breathe. The restricted circulation increases the risk of blood clots and severe dryness, among other issues. Your gums, like your skin, need to breathe in order to stay healthy. They can’t really do that if a tight pair of dentures is slowing their circulation!
You might think you have more stamina than your gums, but you need to breathe too. The bacteria that collects on your dentures can spread through your mouth and throat, increasing your risk for respiratory infections.
What Does This Mean for Me and My Dentures?
Dentures are supposed to support your oral function, not endanger your oral health. After your mouth has adjusted to your new appliance, dentists recommend removing your dentures for at least eight hours while you sleep. That gives them plenty of time to soak in their sanitizing cleaning solution, and it gives you and your gums plenty of time for a break. Follow their professional instructions, and you’ll be able to enjoy your prosthetic without complications!
About the Author
Dr. Ira Newman is an accomplished dentist with over 20 years of experience. He’s even served as a clinical instructor in the Department of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry at the New York University College of Dentistry. In other words, he knows all about dentures! You can trust Dr. Newman to provide you with a quality prosthetic and valuable oral care advice. If you have questions or concerns about wearing your dentures, contact his office at 212-924-6890.
